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A 'Truth in Spending' Rule for Government

Just as we require "truth in lending" disclosures on loans, perhaps we should require "truth in financing" disclosures on all political promises.

Oct. 2, 2014 4:36 p.m. ET

Paul E. Peterson points out that when asked if they are willing to have their taxes raised to increase education funding, most people say "no" ("How the Education Spendthrifts Get Away With It," op-ed, Sept. 22). But why single out education? We'd have similar responses if such phrasing were used for other proposed government expenditures: Would you be willing to see taxes raised for—increased border surveillance, increased enforcement of existing gun laws, increased Medicare benefits, replacement of deteriorating highways, and so forth. Just as we require calorie counts on food labels and "truth...